Yardbarker: Ivan Novahttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/players/ivan_nova/89925
Recent articles about Ivan Novaen-usNova settling into life as a No.1 starterFor years, Ivan Nova entered Spring Training with something to prove. He had to earn a spot in the Yankees rotation or, occasionally, anywhere on the team. He is far removed from those days now, however, having already been named the Pirates' Opening Day starter.14 Mar 2018 18:26:07 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/nova_settling_into_life_as_a_no1_starter/s1_6082_25944131
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/nova_settling_into_life_as_a_no1_starter/s1_6082_25944131Nova settling into life as a No.1 starterhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/nova_settling_into_life_as_a_no1_starter/s1_6082_25944131http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngNova gets opening-day nod for PiratesIvan Nova will be the Pittsburgh Pirates' opening-day starting pitcher at Detroit on March 29. It is unclear whether he will remain with Pittsburgh through the entire season.13 Mar 2018 17:48:25 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/nova_gets_opening_day_nod_for_pirates/s1_14846_25933181
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/nova_gets_opening_day_nod_for_pirates/s1_14846_25933181Nova gets opening-day nod for Pirateshttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/nova_gets_opening_day_nod_for_pirates/s1_14846_25933181http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngNova, Taillon proud of Opening Day nodsWhen pitching coach Ray Searage called Ivan Nova into manager Clint Hurdle's office on Wednesday morning, Nova's first thought was closer to fear than excitement.08 Mar 2018 12:29:52 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/nova_taillon_proud_of_opening_day_nods/s1_6082_25889492
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/nova_taillon_proud_of_opening_day_nods/s1_6082_25889492Nova, Taillon proud of Opening Day nodshttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/nova_taillon_proud_of_opening_day_nods/s1_6082_25889492http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngPirates tab Nova to start Opening DayVeteran right-hander Ivan Nova will start for the Pirates on Opening Day, manager Clint Hurdle announced on Wednesday. Jameson Taillon is scheduled to start Pittsburgh's home opener at PNC Park.07 Mar 2018 15:40:39 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/pirates_tab_nova_to_start_opening_day/s1_6082_25882454
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/pirates_tab_nova_to_start_opening_day/s1_6082_25882454Pirates tab Nova to start Opening Dayhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/pirates_tab_nova_to_start_opening_day/s1_6082_25882454http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngWhy Ivan Nova Isn’t Phil Hughes 2.0This is Alex Stumpf’s first piece as part of his May residency at FanGraphs. Stumpf covers the Pirates and also Duquesne basketball for The Point of Pittsburgh. You can find him on Twitter, as well.
With one month of the season in the books, the Ivan Nova signing has been the steal of the offseason.
After performing a career 180 following his trade to the Pirates from the Yankees at the deadline last year, Nova has become even more Nova-y in 2017, recording a 1.50 ERA over 36 innings, refusing to walk batters, and working at a record-setting pace.
His 95-pitch Maddux* on Saturday night was his fifth complete game in 16 outings as a Pirate. In that stretch of 100.2 innings, he has faced 396 batters and walked only four, including just one out of the 133 who stepped into the box this season. The last starter to go at least 100 innings in a season with a lower walk rate per nine was George Bradley in 1880. That was the year the number of balls required for a walk was reduced to eight, and four years before pitch01 May 2017 12:57:56 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/why_ivan_nova_isnt_phil_hughes_20/s1_8637_23857771
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/why_ivan_nova_isnt_phil_hughes_20/s1_8637_23857771Why Ivan Nova Isn’t Phil Hughes 2.0http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/why_ivan_nova_isnt_phil_hughes_20/s1_8637_23857771http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngPittsburgh Pirates Ivan Nova is on fire right nowIt has only taken five starts into the 2017 regular season for Ivan Nova to show that last years strong finish wasn’t a fluke. After coming over from the New York Yankees at last years trade deadline, Nova impressed going 5-2 with a 3.06 ERA in 11 starts. Pitching coach guru Ray Searage worked his magic once again turning Nova into the pitcher the Yankees had hoped for 7 years that he would one day become.
He looked like a totally different player out there, finally finding the consistency in his pitches that hindered his performance down in the Bronx. The Pirates saw enough out of his improved play to re-sign him to a 3-year, $26 million dollar deal over the off-season to pitch in the number three spot in the rotation, behind Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon. So far that contract has looked like an absolute steal as Nova has pitched like a stud to begin the new year. Nova is currently 3-2 with a 1.50 ERA, walking only one batter and striking out 22 over the 36 innings he has pitched. He opened up the season w01 May 2017 01:14:15 -0400http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/pittsburgh_pirates_ivan_nova_is_on_fire_right_now/s1_7899_23854456
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/pittsburgh_pirates_ivan_nova_is_on_fire_right_now/s1_7899_23854456Pittsburgh Pirates Ivan Nova is on fire right nowhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/pittsburgh_pirates_ivan_nova_is_on_fire_right_now/s1_7899_23854456http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngMarlins dispatched by Ivan Nova in shutout loss to Pirates29 Apr 2017 21:49:59 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/marlins_dispatched_by_ivan_nova_in_shutout_loss_to_pirates/s1_13180_23847019
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/marlins_dispatched_by_ivan_nova_in_shutout_loss_to_pirates/s1_13180_23847019Marlins dispatched by Ivan Nova in shutout loss to Pirateshttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/marlins_dispatched_by_ivan_nova_in_shutout_loss_to_pirates/s1_13180_23847019http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png5 MLB teams that could surprise in 2017Every year in baseball, there are a few teams that perform better than many observers would have expected them to. That doesn’t necessarily mean they go from worst to first or jump into the postseason. Some cellar-dwellers take a huge leap forward to respectability and put themselves in contention for playoff spots in years to come, while others see it all come together and surge into the postseason.Here are five teams with varying levels of expectations who may end up impressing in 2017.5) Atlanta BravesSometimes a decent indicator of how a team is progressing is to look at how they finished the previous season. On the surface, the Braves were an unremarkable 68-93 team that finished last in the NL East. Dig a little deeper, though, and you’ll see that their record from Aug. 1 until the end of the season was a much-improved 31-25.Savvy moves from their front office have given them a good base of young talent to work with, with former No. 1 pick Dansby Swanson leading the charge. Swanson joins a core of talen27 Feb 2017 22:53:22 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/5_mlb_teams_that_could_surprise_in_2017/s1_127_23337766
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/5_mlb_teams_that_could_surprise_in_2017/s1_127_233377665 MLB teams that could surprise in 2017http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/5_mlb_teams_that_could_surprise_in_2017/s1_127_23337766http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/5/4543571a4d7635a63d1f7c648564ec0e3e972413/top_story/9559648.jpgNova happy to be back with Pirates BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) Ivan Nova is happy to be back with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Nova made that clear in December, when he signed a three-year, $26 million contract. It was obvious again from the smile on Nova's face when he checked into spring training camp Tuesday. It's as plain as the whiskers on his face - something Nova was not allowed to have when was with the New York Yankees. ''I respect the way they are in New York, (being) clean shaven,'' Nova said. ''I've got nothing against that. But, you have to make it a little bit fun. I'd never grown a beard before. Here, I can grow a beard and cut in the middle and nobody cares. You have fun sometimes with that kind of stuff.'' Nova was having a ho-hum season when the Yankees traded him to the Pirates in August. Over his final 11 starts, the right-hander went 5-2 with a 3.06 ERA and put himself in great position to test free agency. Although the 30-year-old pitcher said there were ''a couple'' other teams that wanted to sign him for more money, Nova all16 Feb 2017 19:15:28 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/nova_happy_to_be_back_with_pirates/s1_13180_23252683
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/nova_happy_to_be_back_with_pirates/s1_13180_23252683Nova happy to be back with Pirateshttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/nova_happy_to_be_back_with_pirates/s1_13180_23252683http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngNova can boost pay $2 million annually with Pirates PITTSBURGH (AP) Ivan Nova can earn an additional $2 million annually in performance bonuses as part of his new contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, which would raise his total to $32 million over three years if he makes 32 starts or pitches 200 innings in each season. As part of the $26 million, three-year deal announced Dec. 27, the right-hander gets a $2 million signing bonus payable by Jan. 15, a $7 million salary this year and $8.5 million in each of the following two seasons. He would get $250,000 each year he makes 28 starts or pitches 180 innings, $750,000 for 30 starts or 190 innings, and $1 million for 32 starts or 200 innings. Acquired from the New York Yankees at the trade deadline last summer, Nova went 5-2 with a 3.06 ERA in 11 starts with the Pirates. Nova, who turns 30 on Jan. 12, is 58-41 in seven big league seasons.04 Jan 2017 12:48:16 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/nova_can_boost_pay_2_million_annually_with_pirates/s1_13180_22872961
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/nova_can_boost_pay_2_million_annually_with_pirates/s1_13180_22872961Nova can boost pay $2 million annually with Pirateshttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/nova_can_boost_pay_2_million_annually_with_pirates/s1_13180_22872961http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngNova says decision to re-sign with Pirates an "easy" choice PITTSBURGH (AP) Given a chance to explore the free agency market for the first time in his career, pitcher Ivan Nova methodically went through the process, listening to offers but never really changing his mindset. All things being equal - and just as importantly, all money being equal - Nova wanted to stick with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where the right-hander gave his uneven career a jump start with two occasionally brilliant months after being acquired at the trade deadline from the New York Yankees. ''My focus was trying to get it done with the Pirates,'' Nova said Tuesday after signing a three-year deal with Pittsburgh that will pay him just shy of $9 million a season. General manager Neal Huntington spent several years trying to pry Nova from the Yankees, who finally let him go in August in exchange for a pair of minor leaguers. Nova rebounded almost immediately upon arrival, going 5-2 with a 3.06 ERA in 11 starts with the Pirates, who faded from contention down the stretch to miss the playoffs for t27 Dec 2016 15:30:17 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/nova_says_decision_to_re_sign_with_pirates_an_easy_choice/s1_13180_22804237
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/nova_says_decision_to_re_sign_with_pirates_an_easy_choice/s1_13180_22804237Nova says decision to re-sign with Pirates an "easy" choicehttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/nova_says_decision_to_re_sign_with_pirates_an_easy_choice/s1_13180_22804237http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngIvan Nova Slipped Through the CracksThe Marlins gave Edinson Volquez two years and $22 million. Now, I know what you might be thinking: The Marlins might have to issue bigger guarantees in order to convince players to join them. But I don’t know that for sure. What I do know for sure is that Volquez turns 34 next summer. Last season he had a worse-than-average ERA, a worse-than-average FIP, and a worse-than-average xFIP. Those same three things apply, also, to his overall career numbers. Volquez isn’t much. Fifth starter, perhaps.
The Pirates have given Ivan Nova three years and $26 million. Now, I know what you might be thinking: I should add in the modest performance-based incentives. But I just want to deal with the guarantee. Nova turns 30 in a matter of weeks. Last season he had an average ERA, an average FIP, and a better-than-average xFIP. This was supposed to be a terrible offseason to look for free-agent starters, but the Pirates still seem to have gotten something of a deal.
I can think of one reason why Nova’s 22 Dec 2016 14:08:08 -0500http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/ivan_nova_slipped_through_the_cracks/s1_8637_22769092
http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/ivan_nova_slipped_through_the_cracks/s1_8637_22769092Ivan Nova Slipped Through the Crackshttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/ivan_nova_slipped_through_the_cracks/s1_8637_22769092http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngAP source: Pirates, Ivan Nova agree to $26M, 3-year deal PITTSBURGH (AP) A person with knowledge of the deal says pitcher Ivan Nova and the Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to a $26 million, three-year contract. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the agreement had not been announced. Pittsburgh acquired Nova from the New York Yankees at the Aug. 1 trade deadline. Though the Pirates faded down the stretch, Nova appeared rejuvenated while working with pitching coach Ray Searage. Nova went 5-2 with a 3.06 ERA in 11 starts for Pittsburgh, a significant improvement over his 7-6 record and 4.90 ERA in 21 starts with New York. Nova, who turns 30 in January, figures to pitch in the middle of Pittsburgh rotation behind ace Gerrit Cole.22 Dec 2016 10:42:17 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/ap_source_pirates_ivan_nova_agree_to_26m_3_year_deal/s1_13180_22767247
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/ap_source_pirates_ivan_nova_agree_to_26m_3_year_deal/s1_13180_22767247AP source: Pirates, Ivan Nova agree to $26M, 3-year dealhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/ap_source_pirates_ivan_nova_agree_to_26m_3_year_deal/s1_13180_22767247http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.pngReport: Jeremy Hellickson unlikely to accept qualifying offerJeremy Hellickson appears poised to test the free agent waters.
According to a report from Fan Rag Sports’ Jon Heyman, Hellickson is unlikely to accept a qualifying offer from the Philadelphia Phillies.
The 29-year-old pitcher received a qualifying offer from Philadelphia this week for $17.2 million. If he declines it, the Phillies would receive a compensatory draft pick.
Hellickson went 12-10 with a 3.71 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 189 innings last season. He posted three seasons with an ERA under 3.50 to start his career, but from 2013-2015, his ERA was over 4.52 each year.
With a thin free agent pitching market, Hellickson could receive a lucrative offer. Many question whether he’ll make more than $17.2 million annually — which he can earn through the qualifying offer — but he can lock up much more in guaranteed dollars through a long-term deal.
Rich Hill and Ivan Nova are among the other top free agent pitchers on the market.09 Nov 2016 23:49:46 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/report_jeremy_hellickson_unlikely_to_accept_qualifying_offer/s1_127_22371397
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/report_jeremy_hellickson_unlikely_to_accept_qualifying_offer/s1_127_22371397Report: Jeremy Hellickson unlikely to accept qualifying offerhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/report_jeremy_hellickson_unlikely_to_accept_qualifying_offer/s1_127_22371397http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/1/e13d26fa8dea26f305b03c510078528ba491736d/top_story/9559381.jpg